(1) Diamond and graphite are two minerals with identical chemical compositions, pure carbon (C). Diamond is the hardest of all minerals, and graphite is one of the softest. If their compositions are identical, why do they have such profound differences in physical properties?

Principles of Modern Chemistry
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305079113
Author:David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
Publisher:David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
Chapter22: Inorganic Materials
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(1) Diamond and graphite are two minerals with
identical chemical compositions, pure carbon
(C). Diamond is the hardest of all minerals, and
graphite is one of the softest. If their
compositions are identical, why do they have
such profound differences in physical
properties?
(2) silicon and oxygen together make up nearly
75 percent by weight of the Earth's crust. But
silicate minerals make up more than 95 percent
of the crust. Explain the apparent discrepancy.
(3) If you were given a crystal of diamond and
another of quartz, how would you tell which is
diamond?
(4) Would you expect minerais found on the
Moon, Mars, or Venus to be different from those
of the Earth's crust? Explain your answer.
(5) Quartz is Si02. Why does no mineral exist
with the composition Si03?
Transcribed Image Text:(1) Diamond and graphite are two minerals with identical chemical compositions, pure carbon (C). Diamond is the hardest of all minerals, and graphite is one of the softest. If their compositions are identical, why do they have such profound differences in physical properties? (2) silicon and oxygen together make up nearly 75 percent by weight of the Earth's crust. But silicate minerals make up more than 95 percent of the crust. Explain the apparent discrepancy. (3) If you were given a crystal of diamond and another of quartz, how would you tell which is diamond? (4) Would you expect minerais found on the Moon, Mars, or Venus to be different from those of the Earth's crust? Explain your answer. (5) Quartz is Si02. Why does no mineral exist with the composition Si03?
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